Career:

President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Triad (High Point, NC) — 2025-present

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Triad recently rebranded from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater High Point. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, it has launched a strategic expansion project to reestablish clubs in markets across the Triad. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Triad are committed to shaping the futures of young people through engaging, results-driven programs designed to build confidence, leadership, and essential life skills.

Key responsibilities/results:

• Leading a strategic rebranding and expansion from 5 clubs to a total of 25+ sites across the Greater Triad by 2030.

• Targeted budget growth from $3M to $15M by 2030, in support of further expansion across High Point and Asheboro, and expansion into Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Thomasville, Kernersville, Burlington, and surrounding communities.

• Restructured the organization to improve operational efficiencies and alignment across all club sites/locations.

• Launched "Future Ready Triad" campaign, shifting revenue model from transactional to relational philanthropy.

• Developing strategic program alignment and metrics for iterative growth and impact across the Triad, focused on "Learning for Life" (Academics) and "Beyond the Game" (Athletics).

• Oversee a staff of more than 100, promoting a positive organizational culture, upward mobility, strong team dynamics, and professional development.

Member of the Strategy Advisory Board, Adversity Works, LLC. (Columbia, SC) — 2024-present

Serve as a strategy advisor for the startup. Adversity Works™ is a corporate leadership and performance development company dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organizations convert challenges into opportunities for growth, innovation, and transformation. As the parent company of Adversity.com, Adversity Works™ offers a dynamic platform that empowers leaders to turn adversity into a strategic advantage. Developed programs and tools, which include:

• Adversity Edge™ - Corporate Leadership Program (businesses and nonprofits).

  • Business Tools: Adversity Matrix™, Innovation Framework™, Resilience Leadership Compass™, Adversity Pivot Playbook™.

  • Nonprofit Tools: Mission Resilience Matrix™, Adaptive Funding Blueprint™, Leadership Agility Compass™, Mission Pivot Playbook™.

• Adversity Blueprint™ - A Self-Guided Path to Resilience for all individuals.

• The Adversity Exchange™ - Community space to share stories of adversity and resilience.

• Adversity Navigator™ - An AI-Powered Resilience Coach.

Their programs encompass nonprofit and private sectors, equipping professionals with the mindset, tools, and frameworks necessary to foster resilience, collaboration, and measurable success.

President & CEO, Helping Education (Raleigh and Charlotte, NC) — 2022-2025

Lead strategic growth, operations, and impact for an education nonprofit with a team of 70+. Spearheaded initiatives to drive literacy advancement, scale programs, and align strategy for sustainability. Rebranded the organization and strengthened financial, operational, and DEIB initiatives to expand reach and effectiveness.

Key Results:

• Launched a $15M initiative to impact 50,000 students in NC, designed to disrupt high per-student costs and improve literacy outcomes.

• Grew the budget from $2.7M to a projected $4.9M in two years.

• Earned the National Pacesetter Award (2023) for leadership of the WakeTogether initiative (WCPSS).

• Expanded the HelpingNC tutoring platform across 13 counties, supporting major districts like Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Wake County, and Guilford County Schools.

• Led organizational rebrand to Helping Education to reposition the organization and enhance marketing, communications, and employee retention

• Conducted an organizational readiness assessment within the first 90 days, identifying critical areas for improvement and recommending corrective actions.

• Uncovered financial improprieties, conflicts of interest, and leadership concerns, working closely with the board to address and resolve these issues.

• Restructured the organization to improve operational efficiencies, aligning resources and establishing internal controls to maximize the impact of every donated dollar.

• Led a strategic planning process to remove barriers to effective learning interventions while improving organizational culture to enhance employee retention and upward mobility.

• Introduced the organization's first employee benefits package, strengthening long-term workforce stability.

• Fostered a culture of innovation by emphasizing deep listening, data analysis, and contextual problem-solving to drive positive social change.

Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Partner, Sustineri Group, Inc. (Seattle, WA) — 2021-2022

Led a consulting firm dedicated to social innovation, strategic planning, and capacity building, with a focus on fostering entrepreneurship, social impact, and place-based development. Specialized in nonprofit startup, branding, executive coaching, and sustainability strategies to drive long-term change.

Key Results:

• Leveraged over 20 years of experience in social innovation and entrepreneurship to help organizations design and implement strategies for sustainable impact.

• Focused on supporting BIPOC, women, and underserved communities through entrepreneurship, advocacy, and leadership development initiatives.

• Provided executive coaching, board development, and team collaboration support to strengthen organizational capacity.

• Led the startup, launch, staffing, coaching, funding, and consulting for mission-driven organizations, including Acts on Stage, The Voices School for Liberation and Transformation, Leaders Become Legends, and others.

• Built team cohesion and strategic alignment around programs that foster positive social change, innovation, and community engagement.

• Specialized in diversity, equity, inclusion, advocacy, and leadership strategies to enhance long-term organizational sustainability and impact.

UMC Innovation, Social Justice, and Community Development — 2001-2022

Executive leadership in The United Methodist Church guiding advocacy, social justice initiatives, and positive social change:

Executive Director | Innovation and Vitality (Greater NW Area) — 2014-2022

Provided executive leadership in advocacy, community outreach, and social impact initiatives across the Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church — Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and small parts of Canada. Led strategic planning efforts, developed funding models, and drove innovation in place-based nonprofit projects focused on housing, social enterprise, workforce development, and education.

Key Results:

• Spearheaded the unification of three distinct regions under the Greater Northwest Area banner, establishing and leading the regional Innovation Vitality Team to align resources and amplify collective impact across Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and parts of Canada.

• Developed and oversaw a $42.7M grant fund and managed 41 nonprofit projects dedicated to community collaboration and social impact.

• Drove significant organizational change by reducing the project development cycle from 24 months to just 3 months.

• Developed a 5-year funding model, funding 35 new community-based projects and establishing a recruitment pipeline for global leaders.

• Translated strategic goals into organizational impact, with 58% of initiatives led by BIPOC decision-makers (53% women) in a historically white-dominated structure.

• Oversaw the startup, launch, and funding of initiatives such as Hillman City Collaboratory, Acts on Stage, reVILLAGE Community Co-op Childcare Center, The Seattle Residency Project, WakeUp Beaverton, and The Ravenna Collaboratory.

• Managed a $3.7M operating budget and presented internationally in Seoul, Korea; Belfast, Ireland; and London, England on topics of innovation and social impact.

Senior Director, Community Development (Greensboro, NC) — 2007-2014

Led efforts to elevate marginalized voices, particularly within BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, while addressing systemic issues such as hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Focused on community-driven development, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement to drive meaningful policy and funding solutions.

Key Results:

• Founded a community-based organization (CBO) dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices in poverty-stricken communities.

• Partnered with the Poor People’s Campaign to influence legislation through lobbying and strategic advocacy efforts.

• Led the region’s fastest-growing place-based community development project, securing approximately $825,000 for strategic campaigns combating poverty and empowering communities of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

• Fostered cross-sector collaboration, engaging city council, the police department, and regional nonprofits to build political will and mobilize stakeholders.

• Established sustainable funding pipelines through large donor cultivation and successfully secured state, city, and foundation grants to support long-term community impact.

Program Director, Community and Economic Development (Charlotte/Greensboro, NC). — 2001-2007

Led community development initiatives focused on addressing systemic challenges such as racism, discrimination, addiction, homelessness, and poverty. Spearheaded grassroots organizing, economic development, and partnership cultivation to drive sustainable impact in underserved communities.

Key Results:

• Launched two community-based organizations (CBOs) between 2001-2007, dedicated to supporting marginalized communities facing systemic barriers.

• Focused on community organizing and place-based economic development, building strong partnerships to drive local impact.

• Consulted on a halfway house for individuals struggling with addiction, providing resources and support for both staff and residents.

• Developed and implemented a school district partnership program to keep at-risk teens engaged and in school, fostering academic success and long-term stability.

Adjunct Professor, Dissertation Advisor, George Fox University (Portland, OR) — 2014-2020

Served as an adjunct faculty member and dissertation advisor within the Semiotics and Future Studies doctoral program, focusing on the intersection of cultural theory, social innovation, and technological trends. Supported doctoral candidates in developing thought leadership and original research that explored complex systems, emerging trends, and the future of social structures.

Key Results:

• Advised doctoral candidates on research design, methodology, and academic writing throughout the dissertation process

• Served on dissertation committees, providing critical feedback and participating in final defenses

• Guided students in synthesizing theoretical frameworks with practical applications in leadership, culture, and organizational systems

• Contributed to the academic rigor and integrity of the doctoral program through active engagement and mentoring

Chief Executive Officer, iMAGE 500 inc. (Charlotte, NC) — 1995-2003

Founded and led a design, image marketing, and business development firm specializing in interactive branding, strategic communications, and startup ventures. Provided branding, public relations, and business strategy for major clients while securing venture capital investment to drive technical innovation and product development.

Key Results:

• Worked with Bank of America, Husqvarna, R.J. Reynolds, Shop-Vac, M-80 Entertainment, NASCAR, and other major clients to enhance brand strategy and market positioning.

• Led strategic planning, product development, and program implementation, including launching M-80 Entertainment, Inc. and securing venture capital funding for innovation.

• Created and negotiated distribution deals for an innovative technology product, debuting it on QVC and holding a design patent.

• Developed and launched a patented promotional product, overseeing branding, marketing, and establishing distribution channels.

• Founded and launched seven startup ventures, including Kick Axion Apparel (1994), NASCAR Cafe (1996), M-80 Entertainment/Power Up Trading Cards (2000), and Memory Cross, Inc. (2008).

• Procured VC and angel investment funding, developed business plans and models, and recruited teams to scale operations.

• Rebranded Steadman-Gibson Corporate Design, Inc. (founded in 1989) into iMAGE 500 Inc., expanding its scope to include business development, marketing, and interactive branding.

Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leader, and Career Planner/Retention (U.S./Intl.) — 1985-1996

Served as an infantry Marine with leadership roles across multiple assignments, including combat readiness, international missions, joint task force, and training exercises. Developed expertise in tactical operations, leadership, and planning while earning commendations for exemplary service.

Key Results:

• Completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, followed by Infantry Training School at Camp Lejeune, NC.

• Served at Camp Lejeune, Twenty-nine Palms, CA, and Okinawa, Japan, gaining extensive field and operational experience.

• Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (First Gulf War), contributing to preparation of mission success for combat operations (1990-1991).

• Served in Operation King’s Guard in Honduras, receiving a commendation from the Honduran government for exemplary leadership (1993).

• Held leadership roles as Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Career Planner, guiding Marines in both training and operational environments.

• Earned Rifle and Pistol Expert qualifications, demonstrating advanced marksmanship and combat readiness.

• Honorably discharged in 1996 from the Reserves, completing a distinguished career of service and leadership.